RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine a new method to create a rat model of diarrhea with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome. METHODS: A senna leaf (Folium sennae) decoction was made in 3 concentrations of 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 g/mL. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control (C)-, high (H)-, middle (M)-, and low (L)- dose groups. The groups received saline, 1.0, 0.5, or 0.25 g/mL senna leaf decoction, respectively, for 4 weeks. Body weight monitoring, food consumption, water intake, defecation frequency, stool Bristol score, weight-loaded forced swimming test, forelimb grip strength test, D-xylose absorption test, serum cortisone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 24 h urine 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS), and histopathological detection were conducted to assess the success of the senna leaf decoction-induced model. RESULTS: This study showed that the senna leaf decoction could induce diarrhea and dose-dependently slow body weight growth, reduce food consumption, and increase water intake, stool Bristol score, and defecation frequency. Statistical differences were found between groups H and M in rectal temperature, weight-loaded forced swimming time, forelimb grip strength, and serum cortisone. The D-xylose absorption test also showed dysfunction of intestinal absorption in groups H and M. The serum cortisone and 24 h urine 17-OHCS were significantly reduced in group H. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric gavage of 10 mL/kg of body weight of a high concentration of a senna leaf decoction (1.0 g/mL) for 4 weeks was used to create a rat model of diarrhea with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is one of the most common diseases presenting to gastroenterology clinics. Acupuncture is widely used as a complementary and alternative treatment for patients with GORD. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of GORD. METHODS: Four English and four Chinese databases were searched through June 2016. Randomised controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture (MA/EA) for GORD versus or as an adjunct to Western medicine (WM) were selected. Data extraction and quality evaluation were performed by two authors independently and RevMan 5.2.0 was used to analyse data. RESULTS: A total of 12 trials involving 1235 patients were included. Meta-analyses demonstrated that patients receiving MA/EA combined with WM had a superior global symptom improvement compared with those receiving WM alone (relative risk (RR) 1.17, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.26; p=0.03; six studies) with no significant heterogeneity (I2=0%, p=0.41). Recurrence rates of those receiving MA/EA alone were lower than those receiving WM (RR 0.42,95% CI 0.29 to 0.61; p<0.001; three studies) with low heterogeneity (I2=7%, p=0.34), while global symptom improvement (six studies) and symptom scores (three studies) were similar (both p>0.05). Descriptive analyses suggested that acupuncture also improves quality of life in patients with GORD. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment for GORD. However, due to the small sample size and poor methodological quality of the included trials, further studies are required to validate our conclusions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO Systematic review registration no. CRD42016041916.
